Herpes virus isolated in kangaroo respiratory illness

In the Fact Sheet section we reported on our success in treating a life threatening respiratory illness in infant eastern grey kangaroos using the antiviral Valaciclovir. We had suspected a herpes virus which are known to affect kangaroos and this medication is used to treat herpes virus infections in humans. Nasal swab pathology tests were ordered for Herpesvirus PCR. Test Result : The sample was positive for the presence of
herpesvirus DNA by PCR.